West Indies Clinch Victory Over Papua New Guinea in Group C Clash
Jun 02, 2024
2 min read
The West Indies triumphed over Papua New Guinea (PNG) in the 2nd match of Group C during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, securing a win by 5 wickets. The match, held on a clear day, saw West Indies opting to bowl first after winning the toss.
PNG's Innings
Papua New Guinea struggled to build momentum, managing to score 136 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their 20 overs. Captain Assad Vala provided some resistance with a commendable 21 off 22 balls, including 2 fours and a six. Sese Bau emerged as the standout performer with a crucial 50 off 43 balls, featuring 6 boundaries and a six. Kiplin Doriga added a brisk 27 off 18 balls. Key highlights include:
- Tony Ura (2) fell early, caught by Pooran off Shepherd.
- Lega Siaka was bowled by Akeal Hosein for just 1.
- Hiri Hiri and Charles Amini chipped in but couldn’t stay long enough to make a larger impact.
West Indies' bowling attack was disciplined, with Andre Russell and Alzarri Joseph each claiming two wickets.
West Indies' Chase
Chasing 137, West Indies had a rocky start, losing opener Johnson Charles for a duck. However, Brandon King anchored the innings with a solid 34 off 29 balls. Nicholas Pooran and Roston Chase steadied the innings with significant contributions, scoring 27 and 42* respectively. Roston Chase's innings earned him the Player of the Match accolade for his match-winning performance. Contributions from Rovman Powell (15) and Andre Russell (15*) helped seal the win in the 19th over.
PNG's bowlers showed moments of brilliance:
- Assad Vala was effective, taking 2 wickets for 28 runs.
- John Kariko and Chad Soper each chipped in with a wicket, but the efforts were not enough to contain the West Indian batsmen.
Key Takeaways
- Roston Chase's unbeaten 42 from 27 balls highlighted his crucial role in the middle order.
- PNG's Sese Bau showcased his batting prowess but lacked support from his teammates to build a winning total.
- West Indies' decision to bowl first allowed them to effectively pace their chase, leading to a structured and confident batting performance.
This victory places West Indies in a strong position within Group C, while PNG needs to reflect on their batting depth and bowling consistency moving forward in the tournament.
Match Summary
- Result: West Indies won by 5 wickets.
- Player of the Match: Roston Chase
An exciting start to what promises to be an engaging tournament, with both teams showing glimpses of potential. West Indies will look to build on this momentum, while PNG will aim to sharpen their strategies and bounce back stronger in their upcoming fixtures.